Why is vaginal birth without medication not the norm?

I wanted this so bad for myself. But was pushed into an induction due to reduced movement and low fluid. I ended up having to get a c section. I wanted nothing more than a natural water birth 😭

I’ve also done it the no intervention, no medication way but I respect peoples choices. Every birth is different, all are natural!

It's absolutely insane how defensive and then I find myself feeling guilty for having my dream births and for everything going smoothly and speaking about it because you are almost made to feel as though you're shaming them for their choice when in reality you're just sharing your story

My favorite is being told I put the life of myself and child at huge risk and am a horrible mom

Because not everyone is the same and a one size fits all approach is medieval to say the least. Every woman has the right to choose what feels best for her - and if that is a fully medicated birth or an elective c-section so be it! There should not be any discrimination for any choice. A mum who delivered at home with no pain relief or medical assistance is no more or less of a mother than a mum who needed or wanted a caesarean.

I’m a doula, and I believe that some medical professionals do not know what to do with a birthing person who is out of bed and does not have a epidural. I also feel like they don’t know anything else to say except “you can always get an epidural” to a birthing person who is in pain and wants other pain management and words of encouragement besides an epidural. It really takes a team to have a natural birth. It’s very easy to give up when things get hard you need other people supporting you. That’s why I’m considering a doula and a birthing center for my next child.

I think it’s worth remembering that not all women want the birth you’ve had. I had a natural birth, but I opted for pain relief. This wasn’t a last minute decision that I was pushed into, it was on my birth plan 🙂

I have had five unmedicated births. I only tell people if I am specifically asked though. I tell them it was one of the hardest but most empowering things I have ever done.

Medicated and c section births can also be ‘amazing experiences’ … not everybody wants to go through the pain or risk of complications that a vaginal (not ‘natural’) birth can bring. I think it’s important to respect that your opinion on how birth should be experienced is exactly that, an opinion. Once you understand that, it may be easier for you to have these discussions around birth without offending the people you’re speaking to.

I’ve had a natural unmedicated birth and I still don’t see it as this ‘amazing experience unfiltered’. Expecting my second and already freaking out at the thought to have to go through it again. The only thing that pushes me to have another natural birth is the thought of being able to go home soon after she’s out. I guess it’s just a very subjective thing.

I had an unmedicated vaginal birth and it was the worst experience of my life and I had birth trauma from it. Not everyone’s experience of unmedicated vaginal births is this “empowering incredible experience.” That’s great that it is for some women but for me it was extremely traumatic and I thought I was going to die the entire time. I found healing just as traumatising and took me months to feel better both physically and mentally.